Congress Slams Naidu: Six Years and Still No Special Category Status for Andhra

The Congress criticized TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for quitting the NDA in 2018 due to the Centre's failure to grant Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status, stating that six years later, with the government reliant on his MPs, Naidu has only secured 'special financial support' for Amaravati. The Union Budget 2024-25 includes financial support for the state's capital development, but Congress questions the delay and adequacy of the promised funds.

The Congress on Tuesday took a swipe at TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, highlighting his decision to exit the NDA in 2018 over the Centre's failure to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Six years later, Naidu has only managed to secure 'special financial support' for Amaravati, despite the government's reliance on his MPs.

The Union Budget 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, announced Rs 15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh's development this fiscal year and in the future for the state's capital city. The budget also commits to financial support for the Polavaram irrigation project and schemes benefiting women and girls.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh reacted sharply, asking why the financial measures took a decade to be announced and criticizing the budget as insufficient. He likened the promise to Mahatma Gandhi's description of the Cripps Mission in 1942 – 'a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank' – and accused Naidu of being misled.